The “Cars” series by pop art pioneer Andy Warhol (1928 to 1987) is world famous. It shows selected vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and its predecessor brands in a striking, colorful rendering typical of the North American artist. The first of his motifs at the beginning of the picture series in 1986: the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198).

In the Mercedes-Benz Museum, the artwork depicting the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and the sports car will be on display in close proximity from 21 to 26 June 2022. The original screen print comes from the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection. The vehicle is provided by BRABUS GmbH, Bottrop, combined with the proof that this is the sports car that served Warhol as a “model” for the “Cars” series.

The joint presentation is an absolute premiere. This is because the world-famous, iconic work of art and the vehicle itself have never been shown together before. The exhibition in the Atrium of the Mercedes-Benz Museum is open to the public free of charge.

“The ‘Carsʼ series by Andy Warhol forms a final point in the creative oeuvre of this artist. They are works of timeless beauty,” says Bettina Haussmann, Head of the Mercedes-Benz Museum. “Now, for the first time, we are offering all art enthusiasts the opportunity to admire his depiction of the 300 SL together with the ‘prototype vehicle’ provided by BRABUS.”

The history of the 300 SL “Gullwing” with registration number “EI-DR 1”

The 300 SL was in production from 1954 to 1957. Only 1,400 vehicles are built at the Sindelfingen plant, largely using manufacturing methods. The “Gullwing” is one of Mercedes-Benz’s most famous vehicles – and is voted “Sports Car of the Century” in 1999.

The vehicle with number plate “EI-DR 1” is privately owned for 39 years until BRABUS GmbH buys it in 2020 and realizes that it is the exact prototype vehicle used for the “Cars” picture series. This “Gullwing” is produced in 1955 in the color combination silver-grey (DB 180) with blue leather (DB 355) and Rudge wheels. During this time in private hands, a photo of the 300 SL with the number plate “EI-DR 1” ends up in a sports car book. According to research by BRABUS GmbH, the photo of this vehicle served Andy Warhol as the model for the first motif in his “Cars” series. The artist never saw the vehicle itself in the original. BRABUS restored the vehicle to manufacturer specifications.

An expert opinion from Mercedes-Benz Classic confirms the authenticity of the 300 SL. Mercedes-Benz Classic regularly produces expert reports on high-quality classic cars of the Mercedes-Benz brand. The detailed contents of these expert reports include a description of the individual vehicle history as well as an assessment of the vehicle’s authenticity. The basis of every expert opinion is extensive research on the vehicle itself and in the extensive archives of Mercedes-Benz AG.

“Cars”: Picture series for the centenary of the automobile

In 1986, the then Daimler-Benz AG commissioned Andy Warhol to paint the “Cars” series to mark the centenary of the automobile. The aim is to show 80 pictures documenting the history of the automobile from the Daimler Motorized Carriage and the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886 to the present day using 20 selected vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and its predecessor brands. Warhol cannot complete the series: up until his death, a total of 36 paintings and 13 large-scale drawings depicting eight different models were executed in 1986 and 1987. 30 silkscreen paintings as well as the drawings of the executed series are still in the possession of the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection. They are made accessible to employees and an international public both internally in the company and in Museum exhibitions.

The Mercedes-Benz Art Collection was founded in 1977. The collection focuses on the abstract avant-gardes of the 20th century and contemporary art: examples of abstraction relating to Bauhaus and classical modernism, concrete art, constructivism and Art Informel after 1945, European ZERO Art, minimalism and conceptual art, Neo-geo, postminimalism and conceptual trends in international contemporary art, automobile-related art, international photography, video art and sculptures. The Mercedes-Benz Art Collection reflects the commitment to art as an important part of the social self-image and cultural profile of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. The company’s global presence is reflected in a greater mobility of the collection, but also in the form of increased inclusion of international positions that follow the basic orientation of the collection.

“The dialogue between art and automotive history will be given an increasingly prominent role in the permanent exhibition of the Mercedes-Benz Museum,” says Bettina Haussmann. “In addition to the artworks we are already showing in the Museum, we will be making further holdings of the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection accessible to the public from October. We are very much looking forward to further strengthening this cultural component here in our company.”

The BRABUS Classic 6-Star Restoration on this 300 SL Gullwing

The BRABUS Classic 6-Star Restoration of this vehicle was completed recently, some two years after it was purchased and after investing more than 4,500 hours of labor and installing countless new parts. Naturally, the restoration was to precisely the same specification in which the sports car was once delivered as a new vehicle by Daimler-Benz.

Perfection is paramount and consequently this Gullwing was dismantled and catalogued down to the last nut and bolt. Any new part required was procured; serviceable original components were returned to flawless mint condition.

The vehicle body and the frame were completely stripped of paint and rust. Experienced auto body master technicians then meticulously restored it to its original condition. The scope of work also included seamless corrosion protection with state-of-the-art paint shield technologies and a perfect paint finish in the original “silver grey 180 metallic” color.

While work on the body was going on, the entire powertrain was completely rebuilt by BRABUS. Special ‘Classic’ lubricants from technology partner Motul ensure maximum reliability for daily driving.

The specialists from BRABUS Classic also did not compromise at all when it came to the chassis and brakes. They replaced all components with new ones and thereby guarantee optimal active safety.

The BRABUS upholstery shop reupholstered the two-seat cockpit true to the original and perfect in every detail. To this end, they exclusively worked with leather in the original “Blue 355” color as well as fabric and carpeting in precisely the same “Grey L1” color and quality as once used originally ex-factory on this specific vehicle.

After work in the various departments was complete, the sports car was reassembled with maximum precision in the BRABUS Classic Manufaktur at the company headquarters in Bottrop. In the process, all mechanical wear parts as well as all seals and the entire on-board electrical system were replaced as a matter of course.

After completion of the restoration, Classic Data, the leading German classic car expert organization, appraised this 300 SL Gullwing as it does every vintage Mercedes newly rebuilt   by BRABUS Classic. And gave this vehicle a grade of ‘A with new car character’’ for its condition.